Tuesday 30 March 2010

A Time of Purification


'Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And from the time [that] the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, [there shall be] a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed [is] he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end [be]: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.'{Daniel 12:10-13}


In order for us to rightly divide these verses, they first must be read in their context. So for this purpose I will back up to verse 4. For the previous verses are directly linked to verses 10-13.


'But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.'{verse 4}


The book that was sealed was the book of Daniel. However, not the whole book of Daniel was sealed up:


‘The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end." Daniel 12:4.’ {AA 585.1}


The portion in the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days was sealed.The last days‘THE RAPID FULFILLMENT OF THE PREDICTIONS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE REGARDING THE SIGNS AND EVENTS WHICH WERE TO MARK THE CLOSING SCENES OF EARTH'S HISTORY, IS SURE EVIDENCE THAT WE ARE NOW LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS.’{CET 243.7}


So when we see the events which are connected to the closing scenes of this earth’s history; the closing of probationary time, then that tells us that we are living in the last days. This is what is being referred to, when Inspiration speaks about the last days.


So the portion of the prophecy of Daniel which was sealed was the portion relating to the events connected with the closing scenes of earth’s history. The Millerites, of whom Daniel 12 is speaking about (see GC p.355-356; 359) were living in the last days; the closing scenes of this earth’s history. We know this because even though Christ was not to come to this earth on October 22nd 1844, He would have come not long after, if all the Millerites remained with Him after the Great Disappointment. He was ready to come:


‘Had Adventists, after the great disappointment in 1844, held fast their faith and followed on unitedly in the opening providence of God, receiving the message of the third angel and in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaiming it to the world, they would have seen the salvation of God, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts, the work would have been completed, and Christ would have come ere this to receive His people..’{Ev 695.3}


So the last days; the events connected with the close of probationary time for the Millerites were the events which took place under the first, second and third angel’s messages.This is the portion of the prophecy in the book of Daniel that was sealed up to the Millerites. So these events are found in the book of Daniel.


The question that we need to ask ourselves is, ‘where in this book do we find the events connected with the close of probation; the experience that transpired under the first, second and third angel’s messages?’ Which should then lead us to ask, where in this book do we see the close of probation? Wherever it is, that is the portion in the book of Daniel spoken of in Daniel 12:4.


The understanding of the time prophecies found in Daniel and Revelation (as expressed on the 1843 Chart, by Charles Fitch), was the reason for the experience and events found under the three angel’s messages. So these messages and the time prophecies on the 1843 Chart go hand in hand. In other words, it wasn’t just the events which were sealed up to the Millerites, but also the time prophecies in the book of Daniel and Revelation.


What does it mean for truth to be sealed up, and what seals up Truth?


‘The scribes and Pharisees professed to explain the Scriptures, but they explained them in accordance with their own ideas and traditions. Their customs and maxims became more and more exacting. In its spiritual sense, the sacred Word became to the people as a sealed book, closed to their comprehension.’ {ST, May 17, 1905 par. 2}


When the truth is sealed up, it means that it is closed to the people’s understanding. It is the traditions and customs and maxims of man that make truth obscure. It is not because God designed it that way.The portion of the book of Daniel which related to the last days (the events under 1840-1844 and the time prophecies) was sealed to God’s people during the Dark Ages (I have heard that it was sealed up way back from the stoning of Stephen, but I have yet to study that out). That’s the main reason why 538-1798, was called the Dark Ages; because the Word of God was hid from the people due to the traditions and teachings of man that Catholicism was upholding. But, Daniel said, it would be sealed up until the time of the end, 1798 (see GC p.356).


Sure enough from 1798, knowledge began to increase on the book of Daniel. Many ran to and fro, meaning that they were now thinking about time (GC P.359), what time? The time that these time prophecies were pointing to: 1843. And knowledge on that time, began to increase, as we see in the chapter in the Great Controversy ‘A Great Religious Awakening’.


' And [one] said to the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, How long [shall it be to] the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that [it shall be] for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be finished. And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what [shall be] the end of these [things]? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.'{verses 6-9}


The word, ‘wonders’ in verse 6 is translated as a marvellous, miraculous thing. It can also mean a great thing which is not understood; something which is sealed up. The question in verse 6 is related to the closed portion of Daniel. In other words, it would read, ‘How long shall it be until this portion ceases to be sealed?’The answer is already given in verse 4, that it will be sealed up until the Time of the End, 1798. However, it is repeated in verse 7, but with additional information given to it. The answer is:‘…a time, times, and an half…’: here it is brought to view the 1260 time period of Papal supremacy.


Christ is saying that this portion of the prophecy of Daniel will be sealed up during this period until the end of that period, 1798. Then Christ answers again by saying:‘…and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.’


This part of the verse is so weighty with meaning, that it will take a separate study to deal with this verse alone. However, I will seek to summarise it in the best way I know how; leaving you with the references for you to study out in your own time. If you would like for me to send you a separate study on this verse, please feel free to ask, and I will be more than happy to do so.


In order to have the correct understanding of this verse, it is vital that we come to grips with the theme that is prominent in the books of Daniel and Revelation; and which is also a theme that runs throughout the Bible, thus emphasising its importance. This subject is the Scattering and the Gathering of God’s denominated people.


In the writings of Moses, we see that God lays out to His people the blessings that would come to them if they were to keep their part of the Covenant that He made to them on Mount Sinai. However, not just the blessings were listed out, but the curses that would come upon them should they break the Covenant (see Deuteronomy 28). There were many aspects to the curse, but one of the aspects is that if milder measures would prove insufficient to lead Israel’s heart back to God, then He would allow seven times to pass over them of them being scattered in heathen lands (see Leviticus 26:1-4; 14-15,18,21,24,28).


A time in Bible prophecy is a Bible year. A Bible year has 360 days in it. However, when we are dealing with prophecy, we know that we convert days into years. So a time would equal 360 years. The time prophecy that God gave to His people to be scattered was 7 times. So it would work out this way:


7x Time (360 years) = 2520 years.


Sure enough, this is the exact length of time that Israel went into captivity for (scattered). This is a subject that the pioneers of the Adventist Church were very familiar with; they even put it upon the 1843 Chart, which Sister White says was ‘directed by the hand of the Lord’ (see Early Writings p.74). However, they didn’t have a complete understanding of this subject. When the pioneers saw the term, ‘Israel’, they just saw that it was just Israel in general who received the 2520 year curse. The Millerites made no distinction between the Southern and the Northern tribes in Israel. They didn’t realise that there were in fact two 2520’s. You see, both tribes broke the Covenant, so both tribes had to pay the penalty.


William Miller, using James Usher’s Chronology of The Bible (a chronological book which Sister White used more than the others that she had in her library; and which is also used in some King James Versions of the Bible), started to count the scattering time period from the date that the Southern kingdom went into captivity, which was 677 B.C. Adding 2520 years onto 677 B.C, left him with the date, 1843. However, William Miller messed up on the year zero. There is no year zero. He should have just added 1. If he did so, he would have ended up with the year 1844.


In 1850, James White, editor of The Review and Herald, asked Hiram Edson for articles for this publication. So Edson put some sermons together which refuted William Miller’s calculations. He said that you shouldn’t start counting the 2520 when the Southern kingdom was taken into captivity, but when the Northern kingdom was. Using the same chronology as William Miller, Edson found that it was in the year 723 that the Northern tribe was scattered. So adding 2520 onto the year 723, left him with 1798.


What brothers Hiram Edson and William Miller failed to realise, is that they both were right, and they both were wrong. They were right in the calculations of the two kingdoms, but wrong by saying that there was only one 2520 of scattering.


As I stated previously, this is a theme which runs throughout the Bible and in a more prominent sense, in the books of Daniel and Revelation. In Daniel 9:2-23, Daniel is praying for his people, but one of the things he points to as the reason for their bondage as a people, is that the ‘curse’(another word for the scattering, indignation) that is found in the book of Moses.


In Daniel 5, Belshazzar’s feast, we see it brought to view here:Mene-1000 GerahsMene-1000Tekel (Babylonian for shekel)-20Upharsin(Half a mene)- 500TOTAL: 2520The message in Daniel 5 is:‘God hath numbered thy kingdom’: Northern kingdom numbered by 2520. Southern kingdom numbered by 2520.‘…and finished it’: Northern finished in 1798. Southern finished in 1844‘thy kingdom is divided’: Israel’s kingdom was divided between Southern and NorthernVerse 7 of Daniel 12, is saying that the book of Daniel will be sealed up until 1798, when knowledge concerning time (the time prophecies pointing to the time 1843) will be increased. It will also be sealed up until the scattering (2520) of God’s people will have been accomplished. When did the 2520 finally finish? It was in the year 1844.


It is not as confusing as it sounds, and I’ll explain why: There was an increase of knowledge in 1798, when the book of Daniel was being unsealed to the people. However, this unsealing was progressive. Knowledge began to increase in 1798, but light continued to dawn upon the prophetic Word all the way through to 1844.What was happening between the years 1798-1844?From 1798, we see that God began to gather for the final time a people, a denominated people to Himself. Not only did God scatter His people, but He also gathered His people back to Him. This process started in 1798 and ended in 1844, when for the second and final time in sacred history, we see God choosing ‘Israel’ again, just like He did on Mount Sinai (see Early Writings 74, entitled ‘The Gathering Time’). In those 46 years, God was rebuilding the spiritual temple. This is the same amount of time it took to build the literal temple in the Bible.


'Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.'{verse 10}


Once 1798 arrived, a three step testing, proving, separation and purification process began to take place among God’s people. Daniel describes it as they being ‘purified’, and ‘made white’ and ‘tried’. I don’t believe that Daniel under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit just used these three words for any reason. Sister White says that everything in the prophetic Word has its bearing (see Education 123). So what does it mean?


‘I was pointed back to the proclamation of the first advent of Christ. John was sent in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way of Jesus. Those who rejected the testimony of John were not benefited by the teachings of Jesus. Their opposition to the message that foretold His coming placed them where they could not readily receive the strongest evidence that He was the Messiah. Satan led on those who rejected the message of John to go still farther, to reject and crucify Christ. In doing this they placed themselves where they could not receive the blessing on the day of Pentecost, which would have taught them the way into the heavenly sanctuary…But the Jews were left in total darkness…The heavenly sanctuary had taken the place of the earthly, yet they had no knowledge of the change. Therefore they could not be benefited by the mediation of Christ in the holy place. {EW 259.1}


In the time of Christ, the Jews went through a three step purification process. God was proving His people:


1. The first test to the Jews was the message and ministry of John the Baptist, the prophet.


2. The second test was the teachings and the life of Christ. They had the visual evidence that He was the Messiah, the Son of God. However, because they rejected the prophet John, they failed in accepting Christ. The visual evidences had no effect upon their hearts. So they ended up crucifying Christ.


3. The third and final test was the Day of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In crucifying Christ, they placed themselves in a position where they could not receive the Holy Spirit. They were left in ‘total darkness’.


Speaking of the time period of the Millerites, as expressed in Daniel 12, Sister White goes further on to say:


‘ Many look with horror at the course of the Jews in rejecting and crucifying Christ; and as they read the history of His shameful abuse, they think they love Him, and would not have denied Him as did Peter, or crucified Him as did the Jews. But God who reads the hearts of all, has brought to the test that love for Jesus which they professed to feel. All heaven watched with the deepest interest the reception of the first angel's message. But many who professed to love Jesus, and who shed tears as they read the story of the cross, derided the good news of His coming. Instead of receiving the message with gladness, they declared it to be a delusion. They hated those who loved His appearing and shut them out of the churches. Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows the way into the most holy place. I saw that as the Jews crucified Jesus, so the nominal churches had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge of the way into the most holy, and they cannot be benefited by the intercession of Jesus there..’ {EW 260}


The Millerites, also went through a three step purification process. It was as follows:


1. The first test was the First Angel’s Message.


2. The second test was the Second Angel’s Message, which was accompanied by the Midnight Cry. Those who rejected the message of the Millerites, which was none other than the message of Daniel and John the revelator, were not benefitted by the call out of Babylon, and the miraculous visual evidences of the Holy Spirit under the Midnight Cry. They remained, just like Israel of old did under Zechariah’s call to them to come out of Babylon under the Second Decree. It’s the same history being repeated.


3. The third test was the Third Angel’s Message. So by the time this Message arrived in to history, the people who rejected the former were in darkness. They could not enter into the experience of the Most Holy Place. In fact on page 261 of Early Writings, we are told that they were still in the Holy Place experience with Satan answering their prayers.


Two classes are developed during this process. Daniel calls them the wicked and the wise, but they are none other than the wise and the foolish virgins.


'And from the time [that] the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, [there shall be] a thousand two hundred and ninety days.'{verse 11}


To understand this verse, we have to get the correct view of what Daniel means by the ‘Daily’. This is a very deep yet controversial topic, but I will seek to explain my understanding of it as brief as I know how, so please bear with me. If you would like more information on this subject, I will be more than happy to supply you with it. For I have put together all the arguments I know of concerning the ‘Daily’.


The word ‘Daily’, which means ‘continual’ is often only linked with the Sanctuary service. In the Old Testament where we see the details of the sacrificial service, the ‘Daily’ is a verb. It’s the daily offering, a continual offering. It is not so with the book of Daniel. In Daniel, the word ‘Daily’ is a noun. It’s a symbol, a thing, and not a doing word. Remember every fact in the prophetic Word has its bearing. It is not to be overlooked. So what is it a symbol of?In Early Writings, p.74, Sister White said that The Lord gave the correct view of the ‘Daily’ to the men who gave the judgement hour cry. The men that gave the judgement hour cry were men such as J.N Andrews; William Miller; Uriah Smith; Charles Fitch etc. In other words, the Millerites, our pioneers had the correct view of the ‘Daily’. They were unanimous on this subject. They all taught that the ‘Daily’ represented ‘Paganism’. And it can correctly so be called the ‘Daily’ because the Pagan systems of worship were a direct counterfeit of the true Sacrificial Service instituted by God.


It is no accident that out of all the italicised words in the Bible the word ‘Sacrifice’ which follows the word ‘Daily,’ is the only word that Sister White said does not belong to the original text. To add the word ‘sacrifice’ to the ‘daily’ gives the incorrect understanding of it. If the ‘Daily’ did mean the work in the Sanctuary, then why would she tell us that the word ‘sacrifice’ does not belong there? It would belong there if it was talking about the work done in the Sanctuary.


So how do we apply this to verse 11 of Daniel 12? (see ‘Daniel and the Revelation’ by Uriah Smith)The starting point of the 1290 days/year is when the ‘Daily’ was taken away. In the year beginning in 496 all the way through 508 A.D, the seven pagan nations of Pagan Rome, surrendered their military and economic support to the Papacy in order for the Papacy to uproot the three Barbaric, Pagan horns: the Vandals, Heruli and the Ostrogoths. In giving up their arms, they also surrendered their national legal religion which was Paganism and became Catholic. Clovis, the King of Franks (France), was the first to do these two things in the year 496. This progressive giving of power ended in the year 508, when King Arthur the King of Anglo Saxons (England), surrendered his sword and religion to the Papacy. By the year 508, Paganism was taken away as a national legal religion, and the process of uprooting the three horns began in earnest.So the starting point for the 1290 is 508.


But there’s another piece of information that is added to 508:


‘and the abomination that maketh desolate set up’.


These are not two separate starting points. It’s just giving us additional information on what the Papacy would do from 508. It doesn’t read that ‘from the time(s)…’ but ‘from the time’. What is being brought to view here is the thirty year preparatory time that the Papacy took to take down her obstacles: from 508-538.


At 538, the third of her obstacles, the Goths, were driven out of the City of Rome. Now the way was made clear for the Abomination of Desolation (Papacy) to be set up.


This thirty year time of the Papacy’s preparation is very important in order to understand the final movements of Rome as she seeks to seat herself upon the throne of the world for the final time.


So from the time that Paganism would be removed, and the Papacy would be set up, there will be 1290 days/years, which extends up to 1798.


'Blessed [is] he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.'{verse 12} The starting point for the 1335 is also 508. There is only one starting point. We are not left to wonder or to guess as to when the starting point is for the 1335. We have already been given the context, which is the year 508. Adding 1335 to the year 508 brings you to 1843.


Once again we see the two time periods for the scattering of Israel being brought up again. The only difference here is that it’s not 1844 which is mentioned but 1843. Why is this so? What is the truth that God is bringing out here? Remember that the curse of the 2520 captivity to Israel fell upon both kingdoms, the Northern and the Southern? And remember that in the book of Moses he lists out blessings to Israel if they would keep their part of the Covenant, and also curses that would happen to them if they should break it. Well this truth is brought out in the two 2520’s:


The first 2520 came upon the Northern Kingdom, Israel-723-1798.


The second 2520 came upon the Southern Kingdom, Judah-677-1844.


The first 2520 emphasised the scattering: From 723-538 (1260 years), we have the desolating power of Paganism trampling down God’s people. From 538- 1798(1260 years), we have the desolating power of Papalism trampling down God’s people. The Northern Kingdom, according to Biblical history, never came out of captivity. Thus being emphasised the scattering, the curse upon God’s people. It is no accident that they are both 1260 years. It just makes the prophecy of the 2520 even more airtight.


The second 2520 emphasised the blessing offered to Israel:Yes they both begin with the kingdoms being scattered, but this 2520 ends with the gathering of God’s people to Himself. The blessing was realised in 1844, but it was experienced from 1843. In that year, the Millerites were ready to go to Heaven:


‘Blessed are the eyes which saw the things that were seen in 1843 and 1844. The message was given. And there should be no delay in repeating the message, for the signs of the times are fulfilling; the closing work must be done. A great work will be done in a short time. A message will soon be given by God's appointment that will swell into a loud cry. Then Daniel will stand in his lot, to give his testimony.' {2MR 20.1}


‘Christ said, "Blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them" [Matt. 13:16, 17]. Blessed are the eyes which saw the things that were seen in 1843 and 1844.’ {21MR 437.2}


Future Application to Daniel 12: The Millerites

The book of Daniel relating to the closing of probationary time was sealed up through the traditions and teachings of man during the Dark Ages. However, there came a point in time when the book was opened, unsealed (Daniel12:4- 1798) just before probationary time was done (see Revelation 10).


Present Day: The Seven Thunders in Revelation 10:4 was sealed up.

However, there comes a point in time when the Seven Thunders gets unsealed (Revelation 22:10) just before the close of human probation (Revelation 22:10, 11).


Millerites

When the book of Daniel relating to end time events were unsealed, there was an Increase of Knowledge on the message for the hour.


Present Day

When the Seven Thunders in Revelation 10:4 get unsealed (which is happening already) there will once again be an Increase of Knowledge on the message for the hour: the Third Angel’s Message:


‘In the first angel's message men are called upon to worship God, our Creator, who made the world and all things that are therein. They have paid homage to an institution of the Papacy, making of no effect the law of Jehovah, but there is to be an increase of knowledge on this subject.’ {2SM 106.1}


Sister White is not talking about the increase of knowledge in the time of the Millerites. She speaks in the future, by using the words ‘is to be’. She takes the Millerite history and links it to the future, by taking our minds back to the First Angel’s Message and by quoting directly from Daniel 12:4.


Millerites

Once the Increase of Knowledge arrived, a three step purification process began among God’s people (Early Writings, p.259; Daniel 12:10), which resulted in the development of two classes among them: The Wise and the Foolish Virgins.


Present Day

Once the Increase of Knowledge takes place, we will again go though a three step purification process which will result in the development of two classes among us: The Wheat and the Tares; The Sheep and the Goats etc... The characteristics of the three tests are such:


1. The First Test is to do with a prophet.


2. The Second Test is to do with visual events which can’t be refuted.


3. The Third Test is where the door closes.


One more example in the Bible of this test:


Noah.

First Test: The message of the prophet Noah.


Second Test: The animals going into the ark in an orderly fashion led by The Spirit of God.


Third Test: The door of the ark closed.


Our test:

Third Test: The door of probationary time for Seventh Day Adventists closes at the Sunday Law Crisis. It is at that time when it will be too late for our characters to be developed. Instead it will be revealed. That is the time that we will demonstrate whether we have the seal of God or the mark of the beast:


‘Character is revealed by a crisis. When the earnest voice proclaimed at midnight, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him," the sleeping virgins roused from their slumbers, and it was seen who had made preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares, but one was prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without preparation. Character is revealed by circumstances. Emergencies bring out the true metal of character. Some sudden and unlooked-for calamity, bereavement, or crisis, some unexpected sickness or anguish, something that brings the soul face to face with death, will bring out the true inwardness of the character. It will be made manifest whether or not there is any real faith in the promises of the word of God. It will be made manifest whether or not the soul is sustained by grace, whether there is oil in the vessel with the lamp.' {RH, September 17, 1895 par. 9}


‘The great issue [the Sunday Law test] so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain. . . .’ {3SM 385.3}


The Sunday Law test is going to be a time of weeding out God’s professed people.


‘When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Instead of being strengthened when brought into strait places, many prove that they are not living branches of the True Vine; they bore no fruit, and the husbandman taketh them away. {2SM 368.1}


‘As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition.’{GC 608.2}


First Test: The writings of the prophet Sister White. This is the very first test that will be flunked by professed Seventh Day Adventists who end up taking their stand under Satan’s banner; who end up receiving the mark of the beast at the Sunday Law. In other words, it is the first test before the door closes, at the Sunday Law:


‘One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan's banner will first give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God's Spirit.’ {3SM 84.3}


Second Test: The image of the beast (church and state joining together) will be the test for Seventh Day Adventists before the door closes upon us. This is a visual test that is happening right now as we speak. As we see these things it behoves us to ask ourselves the heart searching question: ‘seeing that all these things be dissolved, what manner of person am I to be?’:


‘The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided’. {15MR 15.1}


Summarising the Future Application of Daniel 12

‘I am often referred to the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise, and five foolish. This parable has been and will be fulfilled to the very letter, for it has a special application to this time, and, like the third angel's message, has been fulfilled and will continue to be present truth till the close of time.’{RH, August 19, 1890 par. 3}

Thursday 4 March 2010

The Voice of God- conclusion






The most popular argument that I have heard in attack of the authority of the writings of Ellen White, is that she is the 'Lesser Light'. Let's spend some time defining what exactly does this term mean. We'll begin by turning to Genesis chapter one:
'And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night...'{verses 14-18}
We know these two lights to be the sun (greater light), and the moon (lesser light). The moon is nothing less than two things: It's a reflection of the sun, and it gets its light directly from the sun.
God's Word calls the two lights, great lights. In onther words, they both play a great importance upon the earth. Jesus in Malachi 4:2, is called the 'Sun of Righteousness'. So if Sister White's writings are called the 'lesser light' (moon), then what does this mean? It means that her messages reflect Jesus Christ,the Word of God; and they come directly from Him. Let's illustrate this principle with the prophet, John the Baptist, of whom Mrs White, called, the 'lesser light':
'There was a man sent from God, whose name [was] John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe. He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light.' {John 1:6-8}
John the Baptist's messages bore witness of the Light (Jesus), and they came from God. So because John (the lesser light), 'was not that Light', does that mean that his messages were any less important?
'I was pointed back to the proclamation of the first advent of Christ. John was sent in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way of Jesus. Those who rejected the testimony of John were not benefited by the teachings of Jesus. Their opposition to the message that foretold His coming placed them where they could not readily receive the strongest evidence that He was the Messiah. Satan led on those who rejected the message of John to go still farther, to reject and crucify Christ. In doing this they placed themselves where they could not receive the blessing on the day of Pentecost, which would have taught them the way into the heavenly sanctuary...'{Early Writings, 259}
In the time of John (and we will soon see that it is the same in every great reformatory movement), there was a three-step testing process taking place, that divided the sheep from the goats; the wheat from the tares; the wise and the foolish.
1. The message of John was rejected
2. Due to its rejection, the Jews placed themselves in a position that when the evidences of Christ's Messiahship was displayed, they could not see it
3. As a result of this, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, they could not receive the blessing, which led them to stone Stephen; which Inspiration marks this as the close of their probation as a people.
So yes, John was a 'lesser light', but his message was still a great light, because to flunk the first test, created a domino effect.
However, this was not something unique for just the Baptist's time:
'The work of God in the earth presents, from age to age, a striking similarity in every great reformation or religious movement. The principles of God's dealing with men are ever the same. The important movements of the present have their parallel in those of the past...'{GC 343.1}
God's workings are not just the same in every great reformation, but you'll find striking similarities: things, patterns, which will just stand out in each history. What's more, is that each movement runs parallel (can be lined up in order); yes even the movements of the present.
Let me just share with you a couple more examples of 'lesser lights', and their major importance in Biblical history. Notice that I say light(s), meaning that there were more lesser lights, than just John the Baptist and Ellen White:
'Beginning at Moses, the very Alpha of Bible history, Christ expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself...' {DA 799}
So from the time of Moses, God had 'lesser lights', who bore witness of Christ. They testified of Christ. Which leads to the other example of the three-step testing process, that I said I would share:
Noah, was a lesser light
1. Those message of Noah was rejected.
2. The antedeluvians, now placed themselves in the position, that even when the evidences of the truth of Noah's message were displayed (the animals entering the ark), they could not see it.
3. As a result, when door was closed by the hand of the angel, their probation was closed with it.
By now, you should be seeing the pattern form:
1. The first test, is to do with the message of the prophet.
2. Those who reject the prophet, end up not benefitting by the second test, which is a visual test.
3. Due to the non-effect of the second test, they now place themselves where probation's door is closed on them.
1840-1844
'Many look with horror at the course of the Jews in rejecting and crucifying Christ; and as they read the history of His shameful abuse, they think they love Him, and would not have denied Him as did Peter, or crucified Him as did the Jews. But God who reads the hearts of all, has brought to the test that love for Jesus which they professed to feel. All heaven watched with the deepest interest the reception of the first angel's message. But many who professed to love Jesus, and who shed tears as they read the story of the cross, derided the good news of His coming. Instead of receiving the message with gladness, they declared it to be a delusion. They hated those who loved His appearing and shut them out of the churches. Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows the way into the most holy place.' {EW, 260}
1. First test: the prophetic message of the First Angel.
2. Second Test: the Second Angel's Message, when it was empowered by the Midnight Cry
3. Third Test: the arrival of the Third Angel's Message, where the door of the Holy Place, and the door of their probation closed too:
'And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.' {Revelation 3:7, 8}
The door that was shut, was the door of the Holy Place. Jesus was no longer in there. Then the door of the Most Holy Place was open. Those who flunked the first and the second test, did not follow Christ into the Most Holy Place experience, but were shut in the Holy Place. Read here what happened to them, and you will see that it wasn't just the Holy Place door that was shut, but also probation's door:
'I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, "Father, give us Thy Spirit." Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan's object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God's children.' {EW 56.1}
This three-fold test is taking place in these last days:
The door of probation, closes for Seventh-Day Adventists, at the Sunday Law (see post: 'Congregation of the Wheat and Tares'). So this is the third and final test.
Sister White states, that the very first thing that Seventh-Day Adventists will do before probation closes, is give up confidence in her writings:
'One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan's banner will FIRST give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God's Spirit.' {3SM 84}. (Note: According to prophecy, unfaithful SDA's , will take their stand under Satan's banner at the Sunday Law, when the door closes. So this is the first test: the prophet.
So what is our second test?
'The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes, for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided.'{2SM 81}. (Note: According to prophecy, probation closes at the Sunday Law)
So let's see how this parallels with Biblical reformations in history (bearing in mind that 1840-1844, is being repeated to the very letter)
1. First Test: Prophet- Ellen G. White.
2. Second Test: Image of the Beast- The coming together of church and state. This is visual for sure. It's taking place right before our very eyes, and is it any wonder that those who have slighted, rejected and not seeking to live up to light contained in her messages, can't see the importance of the present rapid movements? She has much to say concerning the prophecies which are now fast fulfilling, but because many have put aside her writings, or have used them as a buffet, therefore, we're not aware of them. Events such as September 11th, 2001, should have revived Laodicea in a big way; but the majority have looked upon it as just a tragic event. Why? Because the testimonies are no longer being studied and lived up to. The health message in all its forms, have been made light of. Therefore, our minds have become so beclouded and weakened by the trampling on the health laws, that we see the 'animals going into the ark', and yet not moved to any urgency.
3. Third Test: The Sunday Law- At this point in time, the characters that we have been building during the previous two tests, will be revealed.
Jesus' message to Laodicea:
'Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.' {Revelation 3:20}
What is the voice that Jesus is using to call to our hearts, that if we open the door to it, we will be at-one-ment with Him?
'It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time.' {DA 799.2}



The Voice of God- part two


The 70 years Captivity, found in Jeremiah 29:10


1. The Proclaiming Prophet, who proclaimed this time prophecy was Jeremiah; which means, 'Yahweh is exalted', 'Yahweh strikes'. Just read through the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations, and you will find that he was the prophet who gave the most scathing rebukes to ancient Israel, while at the same time exalting Jehovah.


2. The Gathering Prophet, was Daniel; which means 'God is my Judge'.He studied the seventy year prophecy, of Jeremiah, and knew that it was about to come to its close. So he prayed for his people, as we see in Daniel 9; and was used to gather the Jews to return to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, only a remnant returned, and those who remained, suffered the threat of the death decree.


Daniel, was a very unique prophet, in that he was not only a Gathering Prophet, but at the termination of the 70 years, he also became a Proclaiming Prophet of the prophecies found in the 2300 days prophecy:


490 years, found in Daniel 9:25

483 years, found in Daniel 9:25


Gathering Prophet, was John the Baptist; which means, 'Yahweh is gracious'. Yes truly, the love and kindness, and the grace of God was no more evident than when Jesus was on earth, revealing the fullness of the love of God toward sinful man. The remnant who gladly received the message of John, were his disciples and the disciples of Jesus Christ. To reject the message of John, which pointed you to the Lamb of God, would mean eternal death; for there is no salvation apart from the Christ crucified!


The Termination of the 2300 days: 1844


The final Gathering Prophet, was Ellen Gould White. She is the prophet who was raised up to take the final Church, Laodicea,through to the second coming of Christ. What is so amazing is that her name actually fits with the work that Jesus is longing to do in His Church, in these closing moments of earth's probation. Let's first define the reformation that God is seeking to do among Laodicea:


'And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and POOR , and BLIND, and NAKED..' Jesus lays out in clear tones, what our condition is in these last days. He says we are 'POOR, BLIND, and NAKED.'


Our misery and wretchedness is all because of this state that we are in. What do these things mean spiritually?


1. 'I counsel thee to buy of me GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, that thou mayest be RICH...' So what will make us rich, is the GOLD. The fact that we are POOR, implies that we are NOT RICH; we do not have this GOLD. What does GOLD represent in the Bible?


'That the TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH, being much more precious than of GOLD that perisheth, though it be TRIED WITH FIRE, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Chris..'{1 Peter 1:7}


Gold represents having a faith that will stand the fires of trial, hardship, persecution and pain.


2.'...and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear..' So what will clothe us, is the WHITE RAIMENT. The fact that we are NAKED, implies that we are NOT CLOTHED; we do not have this WHITE RAIMENT. What does WHITE RAIMENT represent in the Bible?


'And to her was granted that she should be ARRAYED in FINE LINEN, clean and WHITE: for the fine linen is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of saints.'{Revelation 19:8}


White raiment symbolises Christ's righteousness(perfect character) being lived out in and through His people.


3.'...and anoint thine eyes with EYESALVE, that thou mayest SEE.' {Revelation 3:14-18}


So what will give us sight, is EYESALVE. The fact that we are BLIND, means that we can NOT SEE; we do not have this EYESALVE on our eyes. What does EYESAKVE represent?


'The eye is the sensitive conscience, the inner light of the mind...The "EYESALVE", the WORD OF GOD, makes the conscience smart under its application; for it convicts of sin.'{Review and Herald, Nov. 23, 1897}


This is the work that Jesus desires to do in the Church just before He comes to take us home.


Let us keep in the forefront of our minds, that THE DEFINITION OF THE PROPHET'S NAME ALWAYS REPRESENT THE MINISTRY THAT GOD IS SEEKING TO DO AMONG HIS PEOPLE AT THAT TIME. Ellen Gould White, is the final Gathering Prophet, and sure enough her name fits in with the ministry of Christ unto the Laodiceans. Friends, she is the one whom God has raised up, to answer to the need of the Seventh- Day Adventist Church, in its Laodicean condition. Let us see:


Ellen: 'Bright and shining lamp'. 'THY WORD[is] a LAMP unto my feet, and a light unto my path.'{Psalm 119:105}.


The Word of God- Eyesalve. The writings of Sister White, were written to lead us back to the true understanding of the Word of God.


Gould: Is an old English word, for GOLD- Faith. White: This means just that, WHITE, CLEAN- The Righteousness of saints.


Harmon was her maiden name: 'A soldier of peace'- She was raised up for the time period when God's people will be in the anti-typical Day of Atonement. Her messages therefore, were given to lead us into the Most Holy Place experience, where we become at-one with Christ.


However, Sister White wasn't just a Gathering Prophet. There are certain prophets in the Bible, who fall under the category of, 'Connecting Link Prophets.' This simply means, that they stand in the midst of two dispensations, leading you from one dispensation to the other. A dispensation, is a Divinely ordained religious system.


1. Noah- In the Garden of Eden, God's people would worship Him at the Eden's Gate. The first thing that Noah did when he came out of the ark, is that he built an altar and worshipped The LORD. The order of worship changed from the gate of Eden to altars.


2. Moses- Changed the order of worship from altars to the earthly sanctuary.


3. John the Baptist- From the earthly sanctuary to the heavenly sanctuary (Sister White calls him a Connecting Link Prophet)


4. Ellen- From the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place.


Mrs. White stands in the same category as Noah, Moses and John the Baptist. The messages given to her isn't just life and death, because she is a Gathering Prophet, but also because she is a Connecting Link Prophet: The writings which hace been mocked at, slighted, and despised by God's professed people, are the very writings that lead us into the Most Holy Place experience; where our characters are being purified for the seal of God! Friends, THIS IS SERIOUS.


....to be concluded in part 3 of this note. We will look at more conclusive evidence from the Word of God, that proves that her messages are none other than 'The Voice of God', to The Seventh-Day Adventist Church.........

The Voice of God- part one


'Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a PROPHET unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak...Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I HAVE OUT MY WORDS IN THY MOUTH.' {Jer 1:4-7, 9}


When God raises up a prophet, He always speaks through them His messages. The words that they speak are the words of God. We see the same thing in the call of Moses. God promised to speak through him, but Moses was fearful of his speech impediment, so God said:


'And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, [even] he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and THOU SHALT BE TO HIM INSTEAD OF GOD.'{Exodus 4:16}


Moses was to stand in the place of God, to his brother Aaron. In other words, as God would put His words in Moses' mouth, Moses would be as God to Aaron's mouth. This is how God is: He speaks through His prophets:


'It is the VOICE OF CHRIST that SPEAKS THROUGH PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS, from the days of Adam EVEN TO THE CLOSING SCENES OF TIME.' {DA 799}


'Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.'{Hebrews 13:8}


This is how Jesus deals with all of His prophets. What's also the same, is that in every great reformatory movement, in the Bible, the characteristics of the prophet, are always the same:


'The work of God in the earth presents, from age to age, a STRIKING SIMILARITY in EVERY great reformation or religious movement. The principles of God's dealing with men are ever the same. The important movements of the present have their PARALLEL in those of the past..'GC 343.1}


Throughout the Bible, in all these great reforms that God was seeking to bring among His people, we see:


1. A Proclaiming Prophet, at the beginning of a time prophecy. This is the prophet whom is raised up to proclaim the prophecy.


2. A Gathering Prophet, at the close of the time prophecy. The message of this prophet is LIFE OR DEATH. Their message always is received by just a remnant.


3. Their names correspond with their ministry.


NOAH


The very first time prophecy found in the Bible, is the 120 years of probation until the flood would come.


1. The Proclaiming Prophet was Enoch; which means 'Teacher'. His name corresponds with his ministry:


'Enoch was a public TEACHER OF THE TRUTH in the age in which he lived. He taught the truth; he lived the truth; and the character of the teacher who walked with God was in every way harmonious with the greatness and sacredness of HIS MISSION.'{Upward Look, 228}


He proclaimed the prophecy of the coming flood, through his son, Methuselah. Methuselah means, 'When he dies it shall come'. Sure enough, when he died, the flood followed straight after. Oh what a funeral service that must have been to those who knew the significance of his death! More than likely, it was Noah who preached at the service; and what a most solemn sermon that must have been.


2. The Gathering Prophet was Noah; which means 'Rescue, Comfort, Rest'. For 120 years, Noah faithfully preached the approach of the flood; and only a remnant were gathered together in the ark, as a result of receiving the message. His message was life or death, because those who did not heed the call to get on board the ark, found themselves on the other side of the door, shut out with their probation closed:


' Had the antediluvians believed the warning, and repented of their evil deeds, the Lord would have turned aside His wrath, as He afterward did from Nineveh...The period of their probation was about to expire. Noah had faithfully followed the instructions which he had received from God...And now the servant of God made his last solemn appeal to the people. With an agony of desire that words cannot express, he entreated them to seek a refuge while it might be found. Again they rejected his words, and raised their voices in jest and scoffing...The massive door, which it was impossible for those within to close, was slowly swung to its place by unseen hands. Noah was shut in, and the rejecters of God's mercy were shut out. The seal of Heaven was on that door; God had shut it, and God alone could open it.'{PP 98}


ABRAHAM

The second time prophecy we see, is the 400 years of Israelite captivity in Egypt, found in Genesis 15.


1. The Proclaiming Prophet was Abraham; which means 'Father of a multitude'. He was the father of both the Ishmaelites as well as the Israelites. His name, prior to its change from Abram, means 'The Father is exalted.' Everywhere that he dwelt, he would erect altars unto The LORD, so that the heathen would understand the worship of the true God.


2. The Gathering Prophet was Moses; which means 'Drawn out of the water; Rescue'. We know the familiar story of him being drawn out of the water, by Pharoah's daughter. At the end of the 400 years, when it was time for God's people to be delivered out of bondage, he gathered a remnant who obeyed his voice. Was his message life or death? Definitely. Those who did not take heed to separate from the Egyptians, were slain


........to be continued, with more time prophets, leading up to the time of Mrs Ellen G. White, where we will see clearly from God's Word, that to reject her writings, is to reject the voice of God to His people in these final hours!! Stay tuned.....................

Is it Time to Leave the Cities?


'When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains...'{Matthew 24:15, 16}


In Matthew 24:15 (which is not just Jesus' sermon about the destruction of Jerusalem, but also the end of the world), Jesus points out a book in the Bible, that He wanted the Jews and His people at the end of the world the world, to get their understanding from about the Abomination of Desolation. This book, is the book of Daniel. He's basically telling us, that if we want to have a correct interpretation of this subject found in Matthew 24:15, then we need to go to this book.


The pioneers of Adventism, when studying the books of Daniel and Revelation, understood that the Abomination Of Desolation, was Papal Rome. We too are in agreement with this. Well let's read what Sister White had to say on this verse in the Great Controversy:
'When the idolatrous standards of the Romans should be set up in the holy ground, which extended some furlongs outside the city walls, then the followers of Christ were to find safety in flight.'{GC 25.4}
In Matthew 24:15, Jesus is but speaking in agreement with the prominent theme in the books of Daniel and Revelation: The Two Aspects of Rome- Pagan and Papal Rome. Daniel and John, often used one symbol to represent theses two aspects:


1. Daniel 7:19: The Fourth Beast, is described as being 'diverse'. Daniel 7:24: The Little Horn, is also decsribed as being 'diverse'.


2. Daniel 8:9: The Little Horn is Pagan Rome and Papal Rome.


3. Revelation 12:3: The Dragon (Pagan Rome), is described as having 'seven heads and ten horns'. Revelation 13:1: The Beast (Papal Rome), is described as having 'seven heads and ten horns'.


So, in Matthew 24:15, Jesus uses the term 'Abomination of Desolation', to point out BOTH ASPECTS OF ROME, because PAGAN AND PAPAL ROME WOULD FULFIL THIS PROPHECY.


PAGAN ROME: Matthew 24:14, 15- The Characteristics


1. When the idolatrous standards, which was the MARK OF ROME'S AUTHORITY, was placed IN THE SACRED PRECINTS, then that was the SIGN for the Christians to FLEE.


2. AFTER THE SIGN was placed, they MYSTERIOUSLY WITHDREW.


3. To NOT OBEY THE SIGN, was CERTAIN DEATH.


PAPAL ROME (538-1798): Matthew 24:15/ Mark 13:14: '...standing where it ought not.'- The Characteristics


'...that MAN OF SIN [ PAPAL ROME] be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God SITTETH IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD [IN THE SACRED PRECINCTS, WHERE IT OUGHT NOT], showing himself that he is God.'{2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4}


What was the 'holy city', the 'sacred precincts', that the Papacy decided to place the mark of her authority in?


'... and the HOLY CITY shall they TREAD UNDER FOOT FORTY [and] TWO MONTHS. And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy A THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED[and] THREESCORE DAYS, clothed in sackcloth.' {Revelation 11:2, 3}


During the 1260 years of Papal supremacy, the HOLY CITY that she persecuted and desolated, was GOD'S PEOPLE. The MARK OF HER AUTHORITY(SUNDAY, WORSHIP OF THE SUN), entered into the Christian Church.


1. When the MARK OF ROME'S AUTHORITY was placed IN THE SACRED PRECINCTS at the beginning of the 1260 time period, then that was the SIGN for the Christians to FLEE. That is exactly what they did. We know them to be 'The Waldenses': 'The Church in the Wilderness':


' In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly established. Its seat of power was fixed in the imperial city, and the bishop of Rome was declared to be the head over the entire church. Paganism had given place to the papacy... For hundreds of years the CHURCH OF CHRIST FOUND REFUGE IN SECLUSION AND OBSCURITY. Thus says the prophet: "The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three-score days." Revelation 12:6.'{GC 54.2}


2. To NOT OBEY THE SIGN, was to invite CERTAIN DEATH: MARTYRDOM, OR SPIRITUAL DEATH, THROUGH THE CORRUPT ATMOSPHERE GOING ON AROUND THEM.


JESUS' SERMON IN MATTHEW 24:15 IS ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD! HE SPOKE MORE FOR OUR TIME THAN THE TIME IN WHICH HE WAS IN!


The Abomination of Desolation, is a Triple Application Of Prophecy. Simply put: 1+2=3:


When you take the characteristics of the FIRST time an event in Bible prophecy takes place, then combine it with the SECOND time that event comes to pass, you have DEFINED THE THIRD FULFILMENT. I have discussed this principle in previous note(s), and also my daughter has done a video, called 'The Winds of Revelation 7', which deals with it too. So you can check these sources, to understand this principle better, with examples. Let's combine the characteristics of the Abomination of Desolations in the past, and see its fulfilemnt at THE END OF THE WORLD:


The ENTRANCE of Rome, and it MYSTERIOUSLY WITHDRAWING, was the SIGN for the Chrstians to GET OUT OF THE CITY. To NOT OBEY WAS TO INVITE CERTAIN DEATH.


'THE TIME IS NOT FAR DISTANT, when, LIKE THE EARLY DISCIPLES, WE SHALL BE FORCED TO SEEK A REFUGE IN DESOLATE AND SOLITARY PLACES. AS THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM BY THE ROMAN ARMIES was the signal for flight to the JUDEAN CHRISTIANS, so the assumption of power on the part of OUR NATION in the DECREE ENFORCING THE PAPAL SABBATH will be a WARNING to us. It will THEN be time to LEAVE THE LARGE CITIES, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the MOUNTAINS.' {5T 464}


Here, Sister White is combining the history when 'THE EARLY DISCIPLES' were forced to leave the city, with the history when God's people had to find 'REFUGE IN DESOLATED AND SOLITARY PLACES'. Where did we see that language before? When she was speaking about the Christians during the 1260 years of Papal oppression. She's taking these TWO histories, and saying that 'THE TIME IS NOT FAR DISTANT', when WE WILL HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING.


What will be our sign? 'THE DECREE ENFORCING THE PAPAL SABBATH...' Now, some may read this and say, there you go, it's at the Sunday Law when God's people will have to leave the cities. What Sunday Law is she speaking about? Remember, that it was when Pagan Rome entered the holy ground, THEN MYSTERIOUSLY WITHDREW, that THAT WAS THE SIGN FOR THE JEWS TO FLEE. Friends, there was a time in history, when Papal Rome, entered the holy ground, and then MYSTERIOUSLY WITHDREW: PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE DATES THAT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS WERE WRITTEN BY SISTER WHITE:


1885-

'THE TIME IS NOT FAR DISTANT, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.' {5T 464.3}


In 1885, Sister White said, that there will soon come a time when our signal to leave the cities will come. So IF the SIGN came in her time, then we should expect to hear her crying out for us to leave the cities as fast as possible, correct?


1903- 'THE TIME HAS COME, when, as God opens the way, families should move out of the cities. The children should be taken into the country. The parents should get as suitable a place as their means will allow. Though the dwelling may be small, yet there should be land in connection with it, that may be cultivated.'{CL 24.2}


In 1903, Sister White raised the cry that THE SIGNAL HAS COME! So some time IN BETWEEN the years 1885 and 1903, OUR SIGNAL TO FLEE THE CITIES ARRIVED. That signal, being the SUNDAY LAW DECREE BEING SET UP IN THE USA.


Did this happen between the years of 1885 and 1903? YES!!!!


It's n historical fact that in the year of 1888, Senator H.W. Blair, introduced Sunday Legislation in the USA. However, due to the tireless efforts of such people as A.T. Jones, who spoke to the members of the Congress, the law did not pass. In other words, ROME MYSTERIOUSLY WITHDREW. It was ready to happen:


'The Sunday law issue, now becoming prominent because of the Blair Sunday bill, [FOR MANY YEARS SUNDAY LEGISLATION HAD BEEN ON THE STATUTE BOOKS OF SEVERAL STATES. EARLY IN 1888, SENATOR H. W. BLAIR, OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, INTRODUCED INTO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS A BILL THAT, IF PASSED, WOULD HAVE ENFORCED IN ALL FEDERAL TERRITORIES THE OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY AS A DAY OF WORSHIP. AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION TO THAT EFFECT HAD ALSO BEEN PROPOSED. FOR SEVERAL YEARS NATIONAL SUNDAY LEGISLATION THREATENED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE UNITED STATES.] was discussed. Plans were laid for a mass move in securing signatures opposing such legislation by the Congress of the United States.'{3 BIO 376}


REMEMBER THAT THE PAPAL SABBATH WILL BE A REPEAT OF WHEN ROME BESIEGED JERUSALEM! Just as their withdrawal was the SIGN for the Christians to GET OUT OF THE CITY, so when Rome withdrew in 1888, THAT WAS OUR SIGN TO FLEE THE CITY:


1897-

'The Protestant world HAVE set up an IDOL SABBATH in the place where God's Sabbath should be, and they are treading in the footsteps of the Papacy. FOR THIS REASON I SEE THE NECESSITY OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD MOVING OUT OF THE CITIES into retired country [places,] where they may cultivate the land and raise their own produce. Thus they may bring their children up with simple, healthful habits. I see the necessity of MAKING HASTE TO GET ALL THINGS READY FOR THE CRISIS.'{CL 21.1}


What is this saying? In 1888, the papal sabbath was set up, and FOR THIS REASON, GOD'S PEOPLE SHOULD FLEE THE CITY.


THIS IS HOW WE ARE TO GET READY FOR THE CRISIS! SO IT'S NOT AT THE CRISIS THAT WE ARE TO LEAVE. LET NO ONE FOOL YOU WITH THIS ERRONEOUS TEACHING.


'BEFORE THE OVERFLOWING SCOURGE shall come upon the dwellers of the earth, the Lord calls upon all who are Israelites indeed to prepare for that event. To parents He sends the warning cry: Gather your children into your own houses; gather them away from those who are disregarding the commandments of God, who are teaching and practicing evil. Get out of the large cities as fast as possible.' {6T 195}